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Statement by Mr. Felix Schnyder, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, at the VIIIth International Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations Interested in Migration, Geneva, August 7-11, 1961
11 Aug 1961 I. Introduction
II. Summing up of major refugee Problems
III. Forms of assistance required -
with special reference to resettlement -
Introductory Statement by Mr. Felix Schnyder, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme, fifth session, 25 May 1961
25 May 1961 Ways forward now that the European refugee burden is nearing solution
Importance of UNHCR's basic tasks: international protection; search for opportunities of emigration; and material assistance
Importance of maintaining the commitment to resettlement gained over recent years
Three specific problems:
- European refugees on mainland China: visas and transport money needed
- Algerian refugees in Morocco and Tunisia: assistance to continue pending solution; continued financing needed
Importance of international solidarity in solving apparently intractable refugee problems
Question of General Assembly resolutions widening the scope of international action on refugees beyond UNHCR mandate
Likelihood that any future UNHCR expansion will be to refugee issues outside Europe
UNHCR's "strictly humanitarian and social character" fit it well for any such expansion -
Statement by Mr. Felix Schnyder, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, at the Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration (ICEM), fourteenth Session of the Council, 12 May 1961
12 May 1961 Contribution of ICEM in resettling handicapped refugees from Europe overseas
Main problems on which two organisations should concentrate:
- Residual refugees in camps in Europe and non-settled refugees outside camps
- New refugee arrivals: sees quick emigration once again as the best solution
- European refugees in China: visas needed for final destinations, ICEM needs funds for transportation
- 'National' refugees stemming from overpopulation: once again favours emigration solution
Ways in which emigration is good (economic, social, humanitarian)
Need to continue programmes for handicapped refugees if European problem is to be solved -
Statement by Mr. Felix Schnyder, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to the Annual General Meeting of the Save the Children Fund, 1 May 1961
1 May 1961 Total World Refugee Year funding was $90 million from 97 countries
UK contributed a quarter of total
One result was total funding for the European Camp Clearance programme
Problems specific to refugee children:
- Unaccompanied children whose parents cannot be traced
- Legislation which ensures they take the legal status of their parents i.e. remain refugees
- The damage done by camp life
- Parents who cannot afford or who are not permitted the necessaries
- Physical vulerability, problems of health and nutrition
On other hand, children adapt and learn language fast, so can help in integration efforts -
Statement by Mr. Felix Schnyder, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), 1 May 1961
1 May 1961 In general a noticeable uptick in international solidarity for humanitarian issues
World Refugee Year achievements:
- Protection: Increased understanding has resulted in more favourable legal status for refugees
- Protection: More signatories to Convention
- Assistance: UNHCR programme fully funded
- Emigration: Main countries have opened their doors wide, to healthy and handicapped alike
Largest part of 1961 devoted to handicapped non-settled outside camps in Europe
Funding shortfall of $7,000,000 for programme for Algerians in Morocco and Tunisia
The 'good offices' function of UNHCR, and how it is concentrating attention on refugee issues generally, plus helping to create international solidarity
Importance of the work of voluntary agencies on the ground